Responsible Gaming

Gambling Should Be Entertainment, Not Income

At active-sports-therapy.co.uk, we believe gambling should always be treated as a form of entertainment — never as a way to make money, solve financial problems, or escape from personal difficulties. The outcome of any casino game is determined by chance, and over time the house always has an edge. Only ever gamble with money you can comfortably afford to lose, and never chase money you have already lost.

If gambling stops being fun, it is time to stop. If that feels difficult to do, support is available — free, confidential, and without judgement.

Age Verification — 18+ Only

Under the Gambling Act 2005, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to gamble in Great Britain. Licensed operators are required by the UK Gambling Commission to verify the age and identity of every customer. This website is intended strictly for visitors aged 18 or over.

If you share a device or household with minors, we strongly recommend:

• Never leaving gambling accounts logged in or payment details saved on shared devices.
• Using parental control and website-blocking software such as Net Nanny, CyberPatrol, or Gamban.
• Keeping passwords secure and never sharing account access.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling can affect anyone. Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you or someone you care about:

• Chasing losses — gambling more to try to win back money you have lost.
• Hiding your gambling, or lying to family and friends about how much time or money you spend on it.
• Gambling with money meant for bills, rent, food, or other essentials.
• Borrowing money, using credit, or selling possessions to fund gambling.
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when you try to cut down or stop.
• Gambling to escape stress, depression, loneliness, or other problems.
• Neglecting work, studies, relationships, or hobbies because of gambling.
• Spending more time or money on gambling than you originally intended, repeatedly.
• Feeling guilt, regret, or shame after gambling sessions.

If you recognise one or more of these signs in yourself, please take it seriously and consider reaching out for support using the resources below.

Self-Help Tools

Staying in control is easier when you set boundaries before you play. We encourage every player to make use of the following tools:

• Deposit limits – set a daily, weekly, or monthly cap on how much you can deposit. Most reputable operators offer this in your account settings.
• Loss limits – restrict the total amount you can lose within a set period.
• Wagering and session limits – control the size of your stakes and the length of your sessions.
• Reality checks – enable on-screen reminders showing how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.
• Time-outs / cooling-off periods – take a short break from gambling, from 24 hours up to several weeks.
• Self-exclusion – block yourself from a gambling site (or, via GamStop, from all UK-licensed operators) for a longer period.
• Blocking software – tools such as Gamban or BetBlocker can block access to gambling sites and apps across your devices.

A note for GB players: casinos licensed in Curaçao operate outside the UK Gambling Commission's framework and are not covered by GamStop. Some of the player protections described above may be limited or absent on such sites, and self-exclusion tools may only apply to a single operator. Please be aware of this before playing, and consider whether this level of protection is right for you.

Support Organisations

If gambling is causing you or someone you know harm, these independent organisations provide free, confidential help:

United Kingdom

• GamCare – free support, counselling, and the National Gambling Helpline: www.gamcare.org.uk (Helpline: 0808 8020 133, available 24/7).
• GamStop – free national self-exclusion scheme for all UK-licensed online gambling sites: www.gamstop.co.uk
• BeGambleAware – information, advice, and signposting to treatment: www.begambleaware.org
• Gamblers Anonymous UK – peer support meetings nationwide: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk

International Support

• Australia: Gambling Help Online – www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• Canada: Responsible Gambling Council – www.responsiblegambling.org
• United States: National Council on Problem Gambling – www.ncpgambling.org (Helpline: 1-800-522-4700)
• Germany: Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) – "Check dein Spiel": www.check-dein-spiel.de (Telefon: 0800 137 27 00, kostenlos)

If You Have a Problem, Seek Help Today

Recognising that gambling has become a problem is not a weakness — it is the first and most important step towards regaining control. Help is free, confidential, and available around the clock.

If you are in Great Britain, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit www.gamcare.org.uk right now. If gambling is affecting your mental health or you are in crisis, contact your GP or call the Samaritans on 116 123.

Remember: when the fun stops, stop.